Her Hidden Lies

20: Happiness Is Around The Corner.

"So what do we do about it?" Abdulrazaq asks pacing around the living room.
"I don't know Abdul. I don't like this. Things shouldn't be like this" I say to him.

"I don't understand why she's trying to blame you for her misfortune"
"Why do you think Farouq told us?" I ask still unable to wrap my head around it.

"Well he said that he doesn't want to be part of the insane plan she has"
"What about Khalil, how is he taking it?"

"As you can imagine he is shattered"
"The worst part is Mami can never hear about it"
"Of course not. You can't tell her"

"I just want to know where she is so we can talk. I want to fix things"
He looks at me "You'll never get through to her. She hates no, she despises you and she's already made up her mind about it so don't push it, instead of you to fix things it might only make it worse"

"What about Khalil? I know she still loves him"
"I don't think he is in the right frame of mind. He is not in town, he went to Yola yesterday to stay away from this drama for a while"

"What if someone is doing this to her?"
"I doubt but the best thing we can do now is treat this problem delicately"

"Of course".

•

Zainab stood shook.
She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Especially the person standing next to what she was seeing.
She has never been so hurt and she did this all to herself.
She pushed him.

Khalil stood next to his bride.
"Khalil who is this?" She asks as tears filled her eyes.
"This is Fadila, my wife" he says sadly.

"So when you left to clear your head—this was what you meant?"
"It was not my intention but—" he keeps quiet.
"When did you two get married?" She asks swallowing hard.

"Last week. You're actually the first person to meet her and you don't have to worry she won't be staying with you"
"You think that's what bothers me about all this?" She asks as the tears started falling uncontrollably.
"Make yourself at home" she says before going upstairs.

"I'll be right back" he says before following her.
He meets her seated on the floor crying.
He sits next to her and put his arms around her.

"Why? Why would you do this?" She asks.
"I tried but my parents wouldn't let it go. It was either I marry her or I divorce you. And even with all that is going on now I still love you, I don't want to loose you. You mean way more to me than anything else in this world. And if bringing in another girl will keep you by my side then it's a small sacrifice I had to make but you've also been making things so difficult and all I want is to be happy"

"You should have told me"
"And what would you have done?"
She stays quiet.
"You have to let go off all this anger you have towards your sister" she opens her mouth to talk but he talks first "And don't you dare say she's not your sister"

"I just can't forgive her"
"Are you happy with where you are now? Your brothers, mother and friends all want nothing to do with this demanding side of you. And I can't stay with that side too. I love you but that wasn't why I fell in love with you"

"I don't care if Ma is going to cut off my legs but the moment the woman I fell in love with returns I'll leave whoever it is and stay with her all day and everyday" he says.
She turns around and looks at him.
"Really?"

"It's your choice baby"
She smiles "I've always loved the way you called me baby"
"You're my one and only baby after all"
"You're right. I love you"
"I love you too" she hugs him.

They sit like that for minutes.
"So we're cool. Now when are we meeting with Aisha and your brothers to make an official apology?"

"What?!" She asks standing.
He looks at her shocked.
"I'm not going to apologize to anyone, NEVER!" She says angrily.